My email to Sen Ross:
Dear Senator Ross,
I am very concerned about the amendment to the MA house budget that was rammed through today by Rep Linsky with absolutely no debate and no public hearing. While I'm deeply saddened by the events that took place last week in Las Vegas, and not at all a fan of "Bump Stocks" in particular, Rep Linsky's amendment is very reckless. The language he uses in the amendment is extremely broad - so much so that it could easily be interpreted to ban very, very basic trigger weight modifications and even routine gun cleaning! Consider this portion of the as-passed language in the amendment:
"...whoever modifies any rifle, shotgun or firearm with the intent to increase its rate of discharge, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison by not less than 3 nor more than 20 years."
Ok. So technically that means that if a Massachusetts gun owner oils he bolt of his/her bolt-action rifle so that it works smoother and thus faster, he/she has "increased the discharge rate" of that firearm and has thus (technically) committed a felony.
This is absolutely ridiculous and also extremely dangerous to liberty. Likewise, the following portion of the amendment is equally dangerous:
"The Secretary of Public Safety shall promulgate regulations by January 1, 2018 concerning the allowability of maintenance and enhancement of rifles, shotguns and firearms consistent with the intent of this section."
So EOPSS basically has free reign to interpret this new, insanely-vague language any way they see fit and then subject honest, law-abiding MA gun owners to possible jail time for a whole new range of arbitrary, ill-conceived, vague, hastily-passed, unenforceable rules.
Please oppose this ridiculousness. Once again I'm no fan of bump-stocks, but the language passed in the house was way, way, WAY too broad and will lead to an infinite amount of abuse by EOPSS and by our attorney general. I'm quite certain of it based on recent history.
Sincerely,
XXXXX
Sen. Ross's response:
Hello XXXX.
I too find the House language problematic, but am looking forward to seeing what the Senate does. I am working on some comparative language that addresses many concerns.
Regards,
Richard Ross
I'm actually impressed he responded to me so quickly. He seems to want to help fix this mess.